Intrahepatic transplantation of pancreatic islets in the rat.

Islets of Langerhans from isogeneic donor rats were transplanted directly into the hepatic parenchyma of recipients which had been made severely diabetic by streptozotocin (glycaemia ranging between 400 and 1090 mg%). Complete control lasting up to 13 months was achieved in 65% of recipients by using 600-800 islets. Following intravenous glucose administration, each rat responded similarly to normal rats with a rapid but reduced release of insulin. Cytoimmunofluorescence and electron microscopic studies demonstrated the presence of both functional insulin and glucagon cells, within the transplanted islets. It is suggested that for various reasons direct intrahepatic transplantation might become the preferred method for islets.